Ball return amusement device



Dec. 7, 1937. A. sZABo 2,191,658

BALL RETURN AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed July 23, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR lexander Szabo ATTORNEY Dec. 7, 1937. A. SZAO 2,101,658

BALL RETURN AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed July 23, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Iexarzder Szabo BY z s E ATTORN EY Patented Dec. 7,A 1937 UNITED .STATES anlass eATENT orrlcE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a ball return amusement device.

The invention has for an object the construction. of a device as mentioned which is charac- 5 terized by the fact that itis provided with a hollow body of substantially U-shape having its ends directed towards each other and having a flat portion connecting said arms so as to make a platform upon which a table and chair may be l `mount`ed for the convenience of the players of the device.

Furthermore, the invention proposes to `provide a ball slide chute on each longitudinal side of the table extending into said hollow vbody and l adapted to deliver balls to a spring shooting mechanism within the hollow platform to shoot balls through the hollow body so that` they emerge from the ends of the arms thereof.

The invention further contemplates the provision of handles for loading sai-d spring shooting mechanism.

Still further the invention proposes the provision of foot pedals controlling mechanism for shooting' off the spring shooting mechanism.

Still further the invention proposes the provision of a chute control means for each player arranged for holding the balls supplied by the chute in various positions relative to the shooting mechanism so that it requires skill for operating the device.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of `a score board device mounted on a table andadapted to give the score of the various players. i

35.. vFor further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, referencewill be had to the. following description and accompanying drawings, andto the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a ball return amusement device constructed according to this 4,5` invention. l

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1'. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3--3` of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is `a, fragmentary enlarged sectional view n taken on the line d-l of Fig. 2.

.Fig 5` is a'fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. v Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken on the line of Fig. 4. `The ball return amusement device, according to this invention, comprises a hollow body ID of substantially U-shape and having its arms Hl*ab directed towards each other and having a flat center portion 10b connecting said arms ille and arranged so as to form a platform. A table Il 5.. is mounted on the center of this platform. Chairs I2 are mounted on the platform lilb longitudinally thereof and on opposite sides of the table ll. Other chairs I3 are mounted on the platform lllb transversely thereof and on opposite sides of the 10 table Il. A ball supply chute Hl is mounted on each longitudinal side of the table H and extends downwards into the hollow platform lili. A spring shooting mechanism is provided for each chute Ill and is adapted' for shooting the balls 15 supplied through these chutes, through the hollow body so that they emerge from the ends, of the arms thereof. For each chute lll there is a handle l5 arranged in a manner to load the spring shooting means as hereinafter more fully 20, described. Y

Furthermore, for each slide chute I4 there is a foot pedal I6 arranged in a manner to control the shooting oif of a spring mechanism as hereinafter more fully described. In addition, for each slide chute I4 there is a chute control means characterized by a lever ll, the outer end l'la of which projects and is adapted to be moved by a player. This foot control means is for the purpose of hol-ding the balls supplied by the chute in various positions relative to the shooting mechanism as hereinafter more fully described, so as to make the game one of skill.

The arms l0a of the hollow body lil at their free ends narrow down in width by reason of in- 35 clined sides Illia so that the discharge ends of the arms are no wider than the table ll. With this arrangement balls being shot from these arms will travel over or upon the table, depending' upon the adjustment of the device.. If travel- 40 ing over the table then a player seated in one of the chairs l2 opposed to the arm from which the ball is shot, is in a position to catch the ball. The hollow body is provided with legs 20 by which it may be supported a slight distance abovethe floor 45 be given in this specication since they form no specific part of the invention.

Each ball slide chute I4 extends through a supporting partition 2| mounted on the underface of the table II. Each chute I4 terminates at the top of the interior of the hollow platform III". The inner ends of each of thesechutes are provided with spring clips 22 adapted to arrest the speed of discharge of the ball so that the ball will fall upon an absorbent or cushioning member 23 and does not bounce oi it. This absorbent or cushioning member 23 is fixed to the inner end of the lever I'I. Y

The spring shooting mechanism comprises Va hammer element 25 which is pivotally supported 0n a bracket 26 attached to a partition 21 mounted on the underface of the table top II. Each hammer 25 is provided with a spring 28 having a central coiled portion 28a coaxial with the pintle of the pivot of the bracket 26. One end of the spring 28, the end 28h, is attached to a portion of the trigger or hammer 25, and the other end 26c engages against the partition 2T. This spring is so constructed and arranged that it has the tendency of urging the trigger or hammer 25 forwards. These spring devices are arranged in oppositeY directions. The forward direction of one of the triggers or hammers 25 is towards one of the arms I0a of the hollow body, and the forward direction of the other triggeror hammer 25 is towards the other arm IIIa of the hollow body.

Each trigger or hammer 25 is provided with an overhanging portion 25a which is engaged by a bolt 30. Each bolt 30 slidably passes through a tubular casing 3| which has a bottom lug 32 by which it is pivoted on a pintle 33. A collar 34 is fixed on each bolt3. A spring 35 is coaxial with a portion of the bolt 30 and acts against a collar v34 and the inner portion of the tubular casing 3| for normally urging the bolt forwards. The bolt is provided with a head 36 to limit the amount to which the spring 35 may urge it forwards. Normally, the bolt 3D engages the overhanging portion 25 and so holds the hammer or trigger 25 in its loaded position. Each loading handle I5 is slidably mounted through a tube 3l supported by the partition 2|. The inner end of each handle I5 has a portion I5ad directed laterally and engaging beneath the hammer 25 in a manner so that the handle is pulled and the hammer is drawn towards thebolt 3|) so that it may be reloaded.

The foot pedal I6 extends through an opening in the top wall of the platform Illb and into the hollow of the platform and then continues into aV portion I6a which extends through an opening in the top wall of the platform to a position beneath the bolt 30. Intermediate of its ends each foot pedal I6 is mounted upon a rod 40 supported by a pair of spaced standards 4I. When the outer end of the foot pedal I6 is depressed the inner end will push upwards on the bolt 30 andY pivot the casing 3| to a position in which the bolt releases the hammer 25 which then strikes under the impetus of the spring 28.

Each lever I1 is pivotally supported intermediate of its ends by a pintle 42 arranged in the vertical of the platform I0a so that the lever I1 may pivot in the horizontal. The end I'Ia of the lever extends upwards through the wall of the platform Illb, through a slot 44 at a position adjacentone of the chairs I2. A spring 45 connects with each member 23 and urges the member into a neutral position directly below the discharge end of the supply chute I4.

There is a score board associated with the device in the form of a box 46 having an open top. A vertical, soft mesh screen 41 divides off this open area of the box and these areas communicate with chutes 48 representing different scoring values. The scoring values are imprinted above the chutes as indicated in Fig. 2. Each chute is held closed with a leaf spring 49 which may be manually flexed to permit the ball to come out through the chute. 'Ihe scoring box 46 is Vsecured upon the table II by a clamp 50.

Various rules may be formulated for playing the game. The apparatus works in the following mannerz' The players who are attempting to score, 'seat themselves in the chairs I2. They are supplied with a certain quantity of balls and drop these balls one at a time through the chutes I4. Each ball rolls down the chute, its speed arrested. by the springs 22, and then limply drops into the member 23. The player then with his foot moves the extended end I'Ia of the lever I'I in an effort to pivot the lever to a position in which the bolt on the member 23 is located at an advantageous position to the front of the hammer 25. The player then steps on the foot pedal I6 which causes the latch 30 to release the hammer, which then shoots forwards, strikes the ball and sends the ball through the hollow partition and through and out from one of the arms I0. The ball is positioned to Yfall on the scoring board into one of the scoring values. The shooting device is so constructed that the ball will approximately fall in the correct location if it is properly positioned to the front of the hammer 25.

Each player in chairs I2 shoots a ball in opposite direction and may see the corresponding ball come out from the opposite arm lila.

It is to be understood that a covering may be provided over the device so as to permit its'use., regardless of weather condition.

While I have illustrated and described .the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the preciseY constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. f

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent isz- 1. In a ball amusement device, a hollow body of substantially U-shape having its arms directed towards each other and having a flat portion'connecting said arms so as to make a platform, a table mounted on the center of said platform, chairs mounted on said platform longitudinally thereof and on opposite sides of said table, other chairs mounted on said platform transversely thereof and on opposite sides of said table, a ballV supply chute on each longitudinal side of said table and extending into the said hollow body, spring mechanisms within said hollow for shooting said balls through the hollow body so as to emerge from the ends of the arms thereof, handles for loading said mechanisms, foot pedals for shooting olf said mechanisms, and foot controlled means for holding said balls in various positions relative to said shooting mechanism.

2. In a ball amusement device, a hollow body Y of substantially U-shape having its arms directed towards each other and having a ilat portion connecting said arms so as Vto make a platform, a table mounted on the center of said platform, chairs mounted onY said platform longitudinally thereof and on opposite sides of said table, other chairs mounted on said platform transversely thereof and on opposite sides of said table, a ball supply chute on each longitudinal `side of said tablev and extending into the said hollow body,

spring mechanisms within said hollow for shooting said balls through the hollow body so as to emerge from the ends of the arms thereof, handles for loading' said mechanisms, foot pedals for shooting orf said mechanisms, and foot controlled means for holding said balls in various v positions relative to said shooting mechanism, the

near end of each supply chute being provided with springs to let the balls down easily.

3. In a ball amusementV device, a hollowbody of substantially U-shape having its arms directed towards each other and having a flat portion connecting said arms so as to make a platform, a table mounted on the center of said platform, chairs mounted on said platform longitudinally thereof and on opposite sides of ysaid table, other chairs mounted on said platform transversely thereof and on opposite sides of said table, a ball supply chute on each longitudinal side of said table and extending into the said hollow body, spring mechanisms within said hollow for shooting said balls through the hollow body so as to emerge: from the ends of the arms thereof, handles for loading said mechanisms, foot pedals for shooting off said mechanisms, and foot controlled means for holding said balls in various positions relative to said shooting mechanisms, each spring mechanism comprising a hammer pivotally supported at one end, a spring urging said hammer in one direction, and a'bolt for holding said hammer loaded, 4. In a ball amusement device, ahollow body of substantially U-shape having its arms directed towards each other and having a flat portion connecting said arms so as to make a platform, a table mounted on the center of said platform, chairs `mounted on said platform longitudinally thereof and on opposite sides of said table, other chairs mounted on said platform transversely thereof and on opposite sides of said table, a ball supply chute on each longitudinal side of said table and extending into the said hollow body, spring mechanisms within said hollow for shooting said balls through the hollow body so as to emerge from the ends of the arms thereof, handles for loading said mechanisms, footrpedals forv shooting oif said mechanisms, and foot controlled means for holding said balls in various positions relative to said shooting mechanism, each spring mechanism comprising a hammer pivotally supported at one end, a spring urging said hammer in one direction, and a bolt for holding said hammer loaded, each of said handles being slidably supported and having an end engaged beneath one of the hammers so as to be movable to move the hammer to be re-engaged by said bolt and held in the loaded position.

5. In a ball amusement device, a hollow body of substantially U-shape having its arms directed towards each other and having a fiat portion connecting said arms so as'to make a platform, a table mounted on the center of said platform, chairs mounted on said platform longitudinally thereof and ori-opposite sidesv of said table, other chairs mounted on said platform transversely thereof and on opposite sides of said table, a ball supply chute on each longitudinal side of said table and extending into the said hollow body, spring mechanisms within said hollow for shooting said balls through the hollow body So as to emerge from the ends of the arms thereof, handles for loading said mechanisms, foot pedals for shooting oif said mechanisms, and foot controlled means for holding said balls in various positions relative to Vsa-id shooting mechanism, each spring mechanism comprising a hammer pivotally supported at one end, a spring urging said hammer in one direction, and a bolt for holding said hammer loaded, each of said handles bein-g slidably supported and having an end engaged beneath one of the hammers so as to be movable'to move the hammer to be re-engaged by said bolt and held in the loaded position, each of said bolts being slidably supported in a casing which is pivotally mounted, a spring device within said casing for urging said bolt into operative position, and each of said foot pedals being adaptedY to move the bolts to pivot the casings and so release the hammer devices of the spring mechamsm.

6. In a ball amusement device, a hollow body of substantially U-shape having its arms directed towards each other and having a flat portion connecting said arms soas to make a platform, a table mounted on the center of said platform, chairs mounted on said platform longitudinally thereof and on opposite sides of said table, other chairs mounted on said platform transversely thereof and on opposite sides of said table, a ball supply chute on each longitudinal side of said table and extending into the said hollow body, spring mechanisms within said hollow for shooting said balls through the hollow body so as to emerge from the ends of the arms thereof, handles for loading Ysaid mechanisms, foot pedals for shooting olf said mechanisms, and foot controlled means for holding said balls in various positions relative to said shooting mechanism, comprising a pivoted lever, one end of which extends upwards above said platform and is adapted to be moved by a players foot, and the other end of which is provided with a member adapted to catch and hold a ball discharged through said chute, means for urging said lever into a position in which said ball catching member is beneath said chute, and

said lever being manually movable to a position in which the ball is in a position to be shot by said spring mechanism.

ALEXANDER SZABO. 

